The equity compensation landscape is evolving at breakneck speed—and plan sponsors are under pressure to adapt. From AI-powered plan administration to the resurgence of employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), including innovative non-qualified models, companies are reimagining equity in a market where growth is flat, retention is critical, and employee expectations are higher than ever.

This fast-paced, no-holds-barred panel brings together industry leaders to cut through the noise and tackle the real issues—what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next. We’ll explore the rise of choice plans and flexible settlement options, the growing demand for customization, and the latest capabilities (and limitations) from transfer agents.

Expect unfiltered insights, honest debate, and actionable ideas you can take back to your team.

KEY LEARNING POINTS: 

• Learn how ESPPs, AI tools, and choice plans are shaping the future of equity compensation
• Discover where transfer agents and flexible settlement models are adding value—or falling short
• Gain insider perspectives on what’s trending, what’s failing, and how to future-proof your equity strategy

In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, equity compensation continues to serve as a powerful tool for attracting, retaining, and engaging talent. But delivering effective global stock plans is more complex than ever—regulatory shifts, increasing expectations around equity and transparency, and the realities of a globally mobile workforce all demand new approaches.

This session—rooted in findings from GEO's 2025 Global Equity Insights Survey (GEIS), which includes data from over 170 companies across 20 countries—offers a comprehensive view into how leading organizations are meeting these challenges head-on and reimagining their equity strategies for the future.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Discover how top-performing companies are structuring LTIs and SPPs to align with strategic goals, culture, and talent retention.
• Explore data-driven approaches to pay equity, global mobility, and private company equity plans based on leading survey trends.
• Learn how AI and digital tools are driving operational efficiency, improving compliance, and elevating participant engagement.
   

In today’s highly competitive talent landscape, companies are reevaluating how they structure equity compensation to better attract, motivate, and retain top talent—while staying aligned with long-term business goals. Although the traditional four-year vesting model still dominates, a growing number of organizations are shifting toward shorter vesting periods and more frequent vesting intervals.

This session explores the latest trends in vesting schedule design, including what’s driving these changes and the unexpected outcomes they’re creating for both companies and employees. We’ll examine the strategic, behavioral, and tax implications of modern vesting approaches and provide guidance to help you assess what’s right for your organization.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand the emerging shift toward shorter and more frequent vesting and what’s motivating this evolution
• Evaluate the impact of vesting changes on employee behavior, retention, and company objectives
• Identify key tax, administrative, and design considerations when implementing nontraditional vesting schedules

Continuous improvement is the key to keeping your global equity programs running smoothly and efficiently. In this highly practical session, we’ll explore five actionable ideas that can enhance plan effectiveness, reduce administrative burden, and help you stay ahead of global compliance challenges.

Topics include streamlining your FMV definitions with key global considerations in mind, understanding when and why fractional shares make sense, and how to accommodate additional tax withholding obligations with minimal friction. We'll also share strategies to elevate global tax education for participants and examine how integrating benefits can boost both perception and participation.

You’ll walk away with practical insights you can immediately apply to improve your equity function.

KEY LEARNING POINTS: 

• Learn how thoughtful FMV definitions and fractional share practices can simplify global administration
• Understand effective approaches to support additional tax withholding across jurisdictions
• Discover practical ways to integrate and communicate equity as part of a broader employee benefits offering

Step into the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence and explore how it’s reshaping the way equity plans are administered. In this engaging one-hour session, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of AI technologies and discover how they’re being applied to streamline operations, enhance compliance, and support smarter decision-making in equity compensation.

Through real-world examples and practical use cases, we’ll examine how AI is driving new levels of accuracy, efficiency, and insight across the equity lifecycle. We’ll also address important ethical considerations and data privacy concerns, helping you prepare to implement AI responsibly and effectively within your organization.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand the core concepts of AI and how they apply to equity plan administration
• Explore real-world use cases where AI enhances data analysis, compliance, and reporting
• Learn best practices for addressing ethical risks and safeguarding data in AI applications